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Sep 23, 2015

The other night our dinner plans fell through, and I was faced with either taking my children to the grocery store at 4 PM, which is a though too terrible to be faced, or getting a little creative with what was around.

Chicken thighs out of the freezer, baking staples, carrots, celery and frozen peas became Ellie Kreiger's Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie. I omitted the green beans because I didn't have any, so I just upped the rest of the veggies. It was delicious- and tasted even better because no Kroger trip was involved in its preparation.

A bag of butter beans was unearthed from my freezer. I boiled them up with some chicken broth and a generous amount of butter to disguise their lack of, um, youthfulness. No freezer burn was detectable. Success!

Finally, some baked cinnamon apples. Just slice up some apples, toss with a little brown sugar, little butter, and a lot of cinnamon. Maybe a dash of lemon juice, if you have it/ Then bake for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees until the are soft. A side dish and dessert!

I was perhaps excessively proud of myself for the way this all came together. No one else in my family appreciated how amazing it was that I pulled a complete meal that pleased everyone out of thin air. Obviously, they do not understand domestic genius at work.

Anyway, the moral of the story is, always keep some chicken and vegetables in your freezer, carrots, onion, celery and apples in your fridge, and flour in your pantry. Prepared in the face of any culinary emergency.

Sep 18, 2015

1) My new bedskirt and oversized bolster is now on my bed! Operation Master Makeover is now getting kicked into high gear- I can't wait to show y'all the finished product!

For the commenter who inquired, the fabric is Robert Allen Neo Toile Coral, and it is gorgeous! You can find it for quite a steal if you do some poking around online. I found it on Amazon of all places, for less than $20 a yard, plus free shipping (thank you, Prime!)

2) Dell Harper has begun dance classes (she has now roped me into soccer, dance and is still doing "nastics". I am that mom I vowed never to be and she's only 3.5). First class went well- her bestie is in the same class, which always helps, even as an adult.

3) New rug in the living room- as part of my updating of decor, I snagged this 9x12 oriental style (made of poly-whatever) from Rugs USA, over the Labor Day weekend- 80% off! It takes some digging through the website, but their deals cannot be beaten! Free shipping and a great rug for under $250? Very pleased.

I'm reading her new book, and just subscribed to Hulu to watch season 4 of The Mindy Project. It's been so long since I have watched a tv show that I cared about!

5. Although it's still ice cream weather here (hurrah for free baby cones at Bruster's, right kiddos?), I do have fall clothes on the brain.

I'm not interested in the weather falling below 70 degrees, mind you. Or the days shortening. My interest only pertains to fall fashions.

Like this fun dress and wrap coat from the Limited, both on sale for 50% off currently. The Limited is my secret weapon for mall clothes that other people don't have- great deals, good colors, and great basics for work or nights out.

Here I am in my dream Boden life. . .

Look how cute I my imaginary self is! Just chilling in a big cozy sweater, free of child yogurt stains, and pointy toe heels, free of foot pain, grabbing a book out of my perfectly organized bookshelf. Tra la!

Instead I am in pjs, typing away as I ice my foot (plantar fasciitis), and trying not to doze off while the kiddos watch Sesame Street and fling (my) Fage all over the place. Ahhhh, reality.

Thanks to the Five on Friday ladies for hosting the linkup!

On a far more serious note, please say prayers for Christina and her family as they need them greatly, with a scary diagnosis for their infant son.

Sep 17, 2015

In decidedly prosaic matters, Deeds have a perfectly awful diaper rash a couple weeks ago- the kind that just spreads and spreads. Not wanting to go to the pediatrician to get the prescription cream that zaps it, I pleaded with one of my favorite nurses for some home remedy wisdom. Here it is!

Mix equal parts athlete's foot cream, cortisone cream and zinc oxide diaper rash cream. Spread it on the rash, and voila! Deeds' was cleared up in about 6 hours.

Sep 14, 2015

Is there anything more glorious than being in bed at nine o'clock on a Sunday night, with a clean kitchen, dishwasher, washer, and dryer all running, and a good book waiting? I think not, my friends.

And with that, I will launch into other oldish stuff. . .

Thursday DH and I were headed to the library while Deeds was being schooled (part of special Dell Harper/Mama day). On the way to library my girl conks out- (being strapped to a chair the only way she will submit to daytime sleep). Right when I notice my tired girl is asleep, my phone rings- one of my best friends from college, who is the best phone talker I know (this is a well-known fact). A full tank of gas, child who needs to be driven around for a needed-nap, an hour and twenty to spare, and a chatty old friend on maternity leave? That even tops an early Sunday night. Truly amazing.

We had a big Saturday, hence the early Sunday night. Tailgated for hours, enjoyed beautiful weather, and a great first half for the Vols. I don't want to give myself any frown wrinkles, so I will stop there. . .

At least the Dawgs won.

Standing on my feet for six hours was greatly enhanced by the application of an IcyHot patch. Law, these things are heavenly. My back has been killing me the last couple of weeks, but whew! I was feeling no pain with that thing. The beer I consumed probably helped as well, but I will chalk it up to my old person patch.

So there you go- old lady behavior, old friends, football-induced wrinkles, and IcyHot patches. Looks ilke I hoit 34 and go waaaayyy downhill.

Sep 9, 2015

Oh, I think I would be so frightfully organized if I had a personal assistant. Wouldn't these piles of paper threatening to take over my office be delightfully filed away? My dry cleaning carefully picked up on time? E-mails returned promptly instead of read on my phone and put on the "later" to do list? Lining up babysitters? It would just be lovely.

In real life-

Scooting and biking are big around our driveway these days- especially for Deeds. Any recs for a baby scooter?

We had a great Labor Day weekend, with football watching, fireworks, and the last day of the pool (BOO!!!!).

Dell Harper is getting into soccer a little more- or just posing and running around with her new buddy.

There is a spider in my refrigerator. A really really big spider. Maybe this will be a new diet plan? Too bad I don't have a personal assistant to remove it for me.

*Update* I just opened the fridge. I can't find the spider. Now I am really nervous. This is what I get for going to the farmer's market.

Sep 3, 2015

So, I should just plan on taking summers off from blogging, as it's just impossible to sit down at the computer and get somewhat coherent thoughts written down. The past two summers I have vowed to get a nanny to manage work and child-rearing, yet don't seem to get my act together. Then I cobble together camps, babysitters, and wing it. The perils of working from home.

But now school is back in! Life is back to routine, and things are getting done. I am pleased.

This gorgeous fabric is about to become a bedskirt in my bedroom, for some much needed master bedroom updates.

I felt motivated and did these fun bug paintings in a burst of creativity. My paint brush has laid dormant since.

These kiddos really were fired up for the first day of school.

Deeds will miss the pool however Especially the ice cream.

This little boogah-bear just had his 18 month check-up before school started- major growth spurt, over here.

Dell Harper has started soccer. She liked running through the tunnel and eating snacks at the end the best. She petered out halfway through the game because she was "too sweaty". Laying in the grass and stripping off clothing was involved, ha!

Now, today is DH's "special day" (gymnastics, library and a little chick-fil-a, while Deeds is in school). Fridays are Deeds/mama special days while sister is in school). Off to three year old adventures!

Glad to be getting back to blogging, and thank you to my kind commenter yesterday who lit a fire under me to get out the computer!